DigitalCommons@C.O.D.

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 2
Fall 12-1-2016
Title Page
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Recommended Citation
(2016) "Title Page," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 2.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/2
Prairie Light 
Review
Vol. XXXIX  No. 1
Fall 2016
Cover Art: 
Henrietta Waits by Tonia Jackson 
1
et al.: Title Page
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2016


English

Title Page

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 6
Fall 12-1-2016
table of contents
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This Prefatory Note is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for
inclusion in The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact koteles@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
(2016) "table of contents," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 6.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/6
table of contents
literature
Conflict Jessica Shubert 8-9
Paid Postage Stamps Wes Solether 11
Iron, Awake Wes Solether 12
Hemingway on the Left Bank Mardelle Fortier 13
French Ice Dancers Mardelle Fortier 15
Purple Lindsay Kesler 17
Met A Girl Tricia Whitworth 18
What May Be A Dream? Alyssa Ahlert 19
Rome Amy Peter 20
Not even 100 letters would suffice Uma Singh 21
Drunken Regret Amy Peter 22
ECT Gail Cairns 23
SOUTHBOUND IN THE FAST LANE Raymond Ziemer 24
SAiD Katya Pospisil 25
"What did you notice first?" Alyssa Ahlert 26
"the nightmare" Bonniejean Alford 27
Common Church Poem Michael Lee Johnson 28
Expectations Amy Peter 29
Mr. Nobody Sammy Jaber 30
The Modern Way John J. Gordon 31
Searching John J. Gordon 32
She Became Quite Bossy Carole Mertz 33
Imagine Madeline Jefferies 34
The Seasons and the Slants Michael Lee Johnson 35
"Yes" Bonniejean Alford 36
Love is a Home Madeline Jefferies 38-39
Iranian Poetry Lady Michael Lee Johnson 40
Foolish Time Alexandra Kurza 41
Sky Full of Time Tricia Whitworth 42
Mr. Squirrel's Magic Sack of Nuts Edward Varga 44-45
The silent fart Ballerina Mogau Ntsoane 46
6  Prairie Light Review
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et al.: table of contents
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2016
art
Ready, Set, Fire Jamie McCreedy 9
Pink Needles Jacqueline Dye 10
Dragonfly Jacqueline Dye 10
Purple Pollen Jacqueline Dye 10
Eight Tongues Natalia Tertusio 12
"Lilies for Mom" Marge Dady 13
"Mother and daughter in the kitchen" Natalia Toreeva 14
"Housework" Natalia Toreeva 14
Degas, Little Dancer Molly Miklosz 15
Eye Contact Molly Miklosz 16
"Consciousness" Marge Dady 19
"Space and Time" Marge Dady 20
lightning in brilliant orange cloud Edward Varga 23
Unwinding Anime Hailey Jayne 25
Thirty Minutes of Ink Natalia Tertusio 26
Untitled Eunice Melara 27
"Anna Akhmatova" Natalia Toreeva 29
Great Mind Molly Miklosz 30
Intimate Sarah Patterson 32
I Can See You Natalia Tertusio 34
Morning Reflections Julio Guerrero 35
Onwards Molly Miklosz 36
Face the beast within Natalia Tertusio 37
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia William North 40
Sea-esta Wes Solether 43
Silence Rebin Roy 47
Cool Off Wes Solether 48
TH
E "e
arth" WITHOUT
"art" IS JUST "eh
."
 7  Fall 2016
2
The Prairie Light Review, Vol. 39 [2016], No. 1, Art. 6
http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/6


Dye, Jacqueline

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 11
Fall 12-1-2016
Purple Pollen
Jacqueline Dye
College of DuPage
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The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact koteles@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Dye, Jacqueline (2016) "Purple Pollen," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 11.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/11
Pink Needles
Dragonfly
Purple Pollen
P
ho
to
gr
ap
hy
 b
y 
 Ja
cq
ue
lin
e 
D
ye
10  Prairie Light Review
1
Dye: Purple Pollen
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2016


Purple Pollen

Peter, Amy

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 40
Fall 12-1-2016
Expectations
Amy Peter
College of DuPage
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The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact koteles@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Peter, Amy (2016) "Expectations," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 40.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/40
Expectations 
 
You expected me to laugh, 
I didn't, I cried.  
You expected me to be happy, 
I wasn't, I wanted to die. 
You expected me to be early not late, 
I couldn't be, I had problems being on time. 
You expected too much from me. 
 
I expected you to be true, 
you weren't, you lied. 
I expected you to support me, 
you didn't, you weren't there when needed. 
I expected you to love me, 
I don't feel like you do or ever did. 
I expected too much from you. 
 
We expected too much from each other. 
We both expected the other to fight for us, 
and we both ended up losing. 
Our expectations weren't realities, that's why we're where we are now. 
I know now not to expect too much, 
so I'll never get my heart broken by expectations like this again.  
“A
nn
a A
kh
m
at
ov
a”
; P
ho
to
 M
on
ta
ge
 b
y 
N
at
al
ia
 T
or
ee
va
Amy Peter
 29  Fall 2016
1
Peter: Expectations
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2016


Expectations

Alford, Bonniejean

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 52
Fall 12-1-2016
Yes
Bonniejean Alford
College of DuPage
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The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact koteles@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Alford, Bonniejean (2016) "Yes," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 52.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/52
At the very thought of you, 
my entire self aches, 
quivering at the touch of every emotion, 
left open to feelings never before felt. 
Brilliance radiates steamy desire 
between this man and my womanhood. 
The journey begins as we take the first step with 
words. 
Inspiration to challenge my creativity 
beyond my wildest imagination. 
  
My everything is heightened! 
I relish the thought 
of being schooled in lessons mutually anticipated. 
For here is the man, at my bequest, 
that now holds the key to my inner sanctum, 
enticing me to escape all my rules; 
Throw every caution to the wind. 
Let down every gate, every barrier, 
and allow myself to be swept away. 
“Yes” 
O
nw
ar
ds
C
ol
or
ed
 P
en
ci
l d
ra
w
in
g 
by
 M
ol
ly
 M
ik
lo
sz
Bonniejean Alford
36  Prairie Light Review
1
Alford: Yes
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Solether, Wes

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 60
Fall 12-1-2016
Sea-esta
Wes Solether
College of DuPage
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Recommended Citation
Solether, Wes (2016) "Sea-esta," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 60.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/60
Sneak Peek Into 
Next Journal’s 
Inspiration...
Sea-esta
Photography by Wes Solether
 43  Fall 2016
1
Solether: Sea-esta
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2016


Sea-esta

Ntsoanne, Ballerina Mogau

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 39 | Number 1 Article 62
Fall 12-1-2016
The silent fart
Ballerina Mogau Ntsoanne
College of DuPage
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Recommended Citation
Ntsoanne, Ballerina Mogau (2016) "The silent fart," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 39 : No. 1 , Article 62.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol39/iss1/62
The silent fart 
  
You may think if you let one go silently, you'd be reducing the 
embarrassment, but the way it is traced is the real proof of the crime. 
  
The silent but violent fart has too many issues and it's just not worth it. 
The problem with it is that it affects the entire situation on too many 
levels. When you release one, it takes less than three seconds to notice, 
and shortly after, bloodthirsty eyes will be scanning for the guilty face 
responsible. 
  
Now, you can play along and look around yourself but you're guilty of 
now causing the kind of situation where everybody suspects and 
mistrusts each other. That person that was next to you and probably 
knows it was you is where the real embarrassment lays. Not only do they 
believe you did it, but also believe you tried to get away with it. At this 
point the crime and insult. Enter the point of frustration... 
All of this can be avoided. Silent farts are aggressive because they go 
straight to the nose. You may not hear them, but your nose will. Add 
frustration to the mix, it becomes a nightmare. Because there was no 
sound (& nobody to blame), the stench is heightened. 
  
When you let one go without a sound, nothing dampens the smell. When 
sound energy is evolved via the machine gun rumbling, the smell is 
dissipated by the escaping sound which makes it smell less. Letting a 
machine gun go is also a "bigger person" thing too. There's no deceit and 
there is a consideration for the greater good. It makes for less irritated 
people and more openly victimized people. 
It will be a noble thing to do because you'll be embracing human nature, 
and considerate in avoiding the tension that would otherwise erupt. 
  
You will be guilty of being partially ill-mannered and not for trying to get 
away with murder...
Ballerina Mogau Ntsoanne
46  Prairie Light Review
1
Ntsoanne: The silent fart
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The silent fart

https://dc.cod.edu/marcom-events-fairs/1024/thumbnail.jp

2012 Domestic Violence Awareness Fair_05

Forslin-Bojnansky, Karen

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 38 | Number 2 Article 37
Spring 5-1-2016
To Catch a Mermaid
Karen Forslin-Bojnansky
College of DuPage
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Recommended Citation
Forslin-Bojnansky, Karen (2016) "To Catch a Mermaid," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 38: No. 2, Article 37.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol38/iss2/37
To Catch a Mermaid
Karen Forslin-Bojnansky 
My youthful siren song 
naively sung to him, 
we flirt with eyes that dance, 
draw us closer to tease 
playfully push at the edge of the pier. 
 
A warm lake engulfs us 
as we plunge clothed into shrouded water. 
We stand in soft mud face to face. 
Sugarcoated bait sours 
to harsh demands. 
 
“Kiss me, screw me, I want you!” 
A charming face turns dark, hardens 
as my rebuff accelerates his anger. 
Angling, he attempts to persuade 
but pulls too hard on the line. 
 
Fun becomes fear as I try to elude 
but his hooks sink deep into my wrists. 
Caught, his new strategy emerges. 
Cruel words threaten 
force blocks my departure. 
 
I twist free my hands and flee 
just two more strokes to freedom pier. 
Snagged again, trapped in his net 
I plead and flop to escape 
his malevolence. 
 
Punishment my reward as he 
forces me beneath murky waters 
until my fight and oxygen expire. 
Resigned to soon breathe water 
my Soul implores God to intervene. 
 
A light pierces the gloom and my despair, 
transported into a radiant bubble 
a glowing silent angel appears to hold my hand 
smiling “everything’s all right” 
while time miraculously pauses. 
 
Chastened, the net draws me from my watery grave 
to cough and gasp cool summer air. 
A friend calls for me, interrupted 
he begrudgingly releases me with whispered threat, 
a vow to be re-caught only next time filleted. 
 
I imprint his tactics, mark the buoys, 
battle scarred but grateful, I resolve 
to never swim in hostile waters 
again.
Born woman I walk this earth 
my song joins the wind 
my blood promises life 
yet I compete and fight 
like a man. 
 
Baptised Christian I pray 
the Eucharist forgives 
Jesus loves me 
yet I feel God’s presence everywhere 
like a psychic. 
 
Meditate with lit candle 
smell of burnt incense 
chant Eastern mantras 
yet I embrace angels and miracles 
like a nun. 
 
Emit Reiki energy from palms 
rocks assist as crystals whisper 
I channel Divine love 
yet I doubt my ability 
like a novice. 
 
Lift sacred chanupa pipe 
in wilderness prayer circle 
for a heart talk with Creator 
yet I question my acceptance 
like a stepchild. 
 
Radiant moon on star filled nights 
imbues my heart and soul 
to sing praise to God 
yet my eclectic worship varies 
like many paths.
Spiritual Smorgasbord
Karen Forslin-Bojnansky
Prairie Light Review30 1
Forslin-Bojnansky: To Catch a Mermaid
Published by Di italCommons@COD, 2015


To Catch a Mermaid

Payne, Kylie

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 38 | Number 2 Article 41
Spring 5-1-2016
Emerge
Kylie Payne
College of DuPage
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This Artwork is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
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Recommended Citation
Payne, Kylie (2016) "Emerge," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 38: No. 2, Article 41.
Available at: http://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol38/iss2/41
       I stopped looking into her eyes, and 
stared straight ahead, into blank space.“Be-
cause I don’t like you.” 
       Yet, for some reason, despite all that I 
had done, I couldn’t shake the feeling that 
what I said was wrong. So there, at that 
point, I dabbed my vocal pen and wrote out 
the final words of our relationship into the 
air, to her, “No . . . it’s because you’re you.” 
       She let go of me. She got up. She 
walked away. 
*** 
       Again, she wasn’t at school the next 
day, or the day after that. But this time, she 
didn’t return the third day, or the fourth 
day, or the fifth day. Neither the next week 
nor the week after that, neither the next 
month nor the month after that, led to any 
appearance of my number-one fan, my 
pseudo-girlfriend. Soon the school year 
had ended and she had not returned. I 
never heard a tat from her again. 
       And during those days, in those hushed 
halls, outside of a few offhand remarks, 
nobody said a word about her. Except for 
Edgar. He took it the hardest. For a few 
weeks after her final disappearance he just 
sat there at our lunch table, hunched over, 
his face burrowed within his crossed arms. 
He really liked her. At least I think he did. 
       And what about me? 
       How do I feel? 
       I feel a lot. 
       And sometimes I wonder about her.
Emerge
Graphite and colored 
pencil drawing
Kylie Payne
Spring 2016 351
Payne: Emerge
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2015


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Title Page

table of contents

Purple Pollen

Expectations

Yes

Sea-esta

The silent fart

2012 Domestic Violence Awareness Fair_05

To Catch a Mermaid

Emerge

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